The Artist Life

There’s no reason you shouldn’t own The Artist Life’s self-released Living EP. It’s a damn good edgy pop punk offering, which the band made available for free from it’s website (be upset if you missed out). A lesson in simplicity, the release paired some hoarse but honest hooks with straight-ahead punk stylings, unapollogetically borrowing the swagger of influential late-‘90s acts of a similar vein. With Let’s Start A Riot, the group delivers its Underground Operations debut in the form of a five song EP that takes a slightly different road from its predecessor, and is frankly all the better for it.

This time out, the production is slick and Ian Blackwood’s vocals are a bit less gruff – a crying shame for the beard punks, but beneficial to the album’s pop sensibilities. On each of these five tracks, the band has struck a near-perfect balance between substantial hooks and legitimate lasting value through attention to dynamics, never lingering on the same ideas for too long. “The Last Time” is infectious from start to finish, with a driving opening riff that flows perfectly into the upbeat verse and coda. The chorus finds Blackwood delivering an energetic and passionate chorus backed by some beautifully executed “whoa-oh-oh’s.” (And who doesn’t love whoa-oh-ohs in punk rock?)

“You’re Not Fooling Anyone” offers a similar vibe to the album opener – simple riffs served up with energy to spare and big hooks. I initially hit a snag with “Sleep So Sound,” believing it to be somewhat of a letdown after the opening two tracks; however, a real man can admit when he’s made a mistake, and so can I. Perhaps the most memorable chorus on the record is then accented by some staccato riffing and always-welcome gang vocals with a return to the intro. This one’s probably a gem from the stage.

“Let’s Start A Riot” just begs for a sing-along, offering listeners yet another smile-inducing chorus. If I was so bold, I’d ask for a closer that mirrored the greatness of the other four tracks, but really, “Beach Towns and Foolish Clowns” is still an above-average track that I certainly won’t skip. Ah well.

The band clearly set out to improve upon Living, isolating what they did best and doing more of it. A glistening pop-punk offering, I look forward to joining in on the mob vocals the next time I catch the band onstage. This one just gets better and better every time it plays. Let’s put the riot on hold and get going on the full length, gentlemen.  [ END ]

Track Listing:

01. You’re Not Fooling Anyone
02. Sleep So Sound
03. Let’s Start A Riot
04. The Last Time
05. Beach Towns And Foolish Clowns

Run Time: 16:00